Welcome to the bridge

The turbolift doors open up and welcome you to the bridge. The viewscreen was on and displayed a beautiful view of Earth. Regardless of all the past tragedies in the planet's history the image of the calm blue orb always had this calming effect like no other.

You had arrived right on time for your shift and the captain was sitting in her chair ready for the signal to launch the ship onto her maiden voyage. You take your seat next to her.

"Are we all set to leave dry dock?" You ask the captain.

"Yes, Number One. We're just waiting to receive word from Astrofleet," she responded, "There's a big show going down at the academy for the launching. I don't believe you might have been around when the first Vermont class ship was launched, but Astrofleet loves to celebrate."

"Can we catch it on the viewscreen?"

"Absolutely. But do you really want to see all of the fun your not having because you have to work?"

"You bring up a good point, Sir."

"Admiral Miller to Massachusetts." The captain's console on her armrest chimed.

"Captain Miller here reading you loud and clear."

"You may leave dry dock when ready."

"Yes, Sir." She said formally to her father knowing that communications were no doubt being broadcast to an audience, "Mr. Fleur, take us ahead at half impulse."

"Aye, Sir." The pilot said and input the commanding into his console.

The Massachusetts started moving forward and cleared the dry dock without issue. A simple maneuver that any trainee could do, but there was, no doubt, plenty of cheering at Mr. Fleur's accomplishment.

"This is Captain Miller, asking permission to engage warp drive." She said into her console.

Several seconds went by before we received a responds, "The Massachusetts is now free to leave the Sol system."

"Set a course for the Paudrin system at warp 8.2."

"Course laid in, Sir."

"Engage."

As the ship went to warp, the image of the stars on the viewscreen began to distort and turn into streaks of light that seemed to fly past the ship.